“Religion is part of the explosion of online communications,” said Douglas Gould, president of the New York-based communications firm Douglas Gould and Company. He notes that 20 percent of the country’s 8 million blogs address religion.
With so many cyberspace options, a word of thanks is due to the faithful few who visit here. The opportunity to share ideas in this way is enjoyable and different from opinion sharing in the print media.It is doubtful I would have jumped into blogging last year without the encouragement (make that coercion) of online editor Bruce Gourley and contributing editor Tony Cartledge. But I enjoy this forum — even though Tony is more faithful.
Our goal is to post at least six times a week. I don’t always meet my weekend obligation — or meet it on time.
In addition to being executive editor of Baptists Today, I assume the weekend titles of assistant coach for the 10-and-under Fireflies girls fast-pitch softball team and interim preaching minister for Mt. Zion Baptist Church. So blogging has to be squeezed in there somewhere between those duties.
The wonderful benefits of the Internet bring challenges as well. One is avoiding the temptation to be “on” for 24/7. Bruce forwarded a New York Times
article about the health crises some avid bloggers are experiencing.
The writer calls the Internet a “digital-era sweatshop” for some.
While most of us are not so consumed by this emerging communications venue, there is still a need for warnings.
Internet engagement is a matter of balance, or stewardship if you prefer.
The separation between work and personal time can get blurred. For me, it happens when I feel the need to send “just one email” or “check on my blog.” And then discover I’ve spent two hours away from family with work-related stuff that could have waited until morning.
Balance, balance, balance.It’s needed in blogging as well as every other area of our lives.
Director of the Jesus Worldview Initiative at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee and former executive editor and publisher at Good Faith Media.
